CARLISLE United manager Paul Simpson hopes that the Piatak family saw the 'potential' of the club despite suffering defeat against Derby County.

The American family, who are in talks to takeover Carlisle United, were in attendance as the Blues were beaten by Paul Warne's Rams at Brunton Park.

Tom Piatak, alongside his other family members, watched the game from the Blues' directors box and made time to mingle with supporters before the game got underway.

Their attendance at the clash falls into a packed schedule for the Jacksonville family who were also at Brunton Park on Friday to meet the club's workforce and are set to be quizzed on their plans for Carlisle at a CUOSC members' meeting on Sunday.

Speaking after his side were defeated by a James Collins' double, Simpson spoke about the Piatak's attendance.

"I think the supporters have been magnificent and again today I thought they stayed with the players, they created the atmosphere as well as the Derby County fans," He said.

"I thought Brunton Park was a good place to be today so if the Piatak family were here they would have enjoyed seeing that.

"They can see the potential of the football club and they know they have got a busy week ahead with meeting the fans and things like that so all we can do is keep trying our best on the pitch and that is what we are doing.

"We have fallen short today but there is a lot of belief here that we have got players that can do a job that helps take the football club forward.